The defender told MUTV: "The lads are disappointed. We started the game really well and could have got a goal or two.

"But then there were some sloppy mistakes, including my pass for their first goal and from that point we made it quite difficult for ourselves."

Jonny Evans suffered a similarly chastening League Cup defeat as a youngster against Coventry in 2007.

Evans was making his first appearance of the season after being sidelined by a leg injury and he felt that the United players' lack of first-team football was a major factor.

He added: "Once we had to start chasing the game their superior fitness levels showed, because most of our team hadn't played in a while.

"For the first 15 minutes we were well in control, and I'd like to think we might have got a goal there but it wasn't to be. It was just sloppy mistakes which cost us in the end, and once we went two behind there was no way back for us."

With captain Wayne Rooney and vice-captain Darren Fletcher among those rested, manager Louis van Gaal gave Evans the armband for the first time.

"It's a massive thing in my career to captain Manchester United," he said. "While I was disappointed with the result, wearing the armband isn't something many people get to do, so I'm proud of that.

"In circumstances like these, I'm sure the manager would like to blood debutants alongside more experienced players, but because we played [against Sunderland] on Sunday I don't think that was possible.

"There's a consequence of that, I learnt that myself on my debut against Coventry a few years ago, but it's a big learning experience. I think the most important thing is to pick yourself up, learn from it and don't dwell on it too much."

Evans added that he is looking forward to playing with Angel Di Maria, whose 59.7 million-pound move from Real Madrid was completed on Tuesday.

"Angel's a fantastic player, so I'm sure the lads are excited to work alongside him," Evans said.